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FAQ's on Auto Accident & Handling of
Minor Car Accident Claims
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Should I report the accident?
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Who pays for the damage to my car?
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How do I turn in my claim?
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How much should I get paid for my car damage?
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How many estimates do I need?
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Should I report the accident?
Yes, if it results in enough damage. If an accident
in Minnesota results in personal injury or other damage in excess of $500, you
must report the accident to the Minnesota Commissioner of Public Safety within
10 days. If an accident
in Wisconsin results in personal injury or other damage of $500 or more ($200 if
government property is damaged), you must "immediately and by the quickest means
of communication" notify the local police, sheriff or state patrol. Call the
local law enforcement and they will fill out a police report.
If an accident
in North Dakota results in personal injury or other damage of $1,000 or more,
you must give notice immediately to the local police if the accident occurred in
a municipality, otherwise the accident should be reported to the sheriff or
state highway patrol. You should also
report the accident to your insurance company by calling your own insurance
agent. Even if you don't initially intend to make a claim on your own insurance
policy, complications may arise in the future, which will require your insurance
company to get involved. You don't want the company to deny coverage based upon
the lack of timely notice.
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Who pays for damage to my car?
The driver who
was at fault must pay for the collision damage to your vehicle. You should
generally turn your claim in to the other driver's insurance company if you
think he or she was at fault. You may,
however, want to turn your claim in to your own insurance company. If the
accident was primarily your fault, or the other driver was uninsured, you may
not have any other practical choice. If you have "full coverage", including
collision damage insurance, your insurance company will pay you for the damage
regardless of who was at fault. Your own company may also be quicker to pay than
the other insurance companies involved. The only drawback is that there is
usually a "deductible" on your policy that would not apply if you were
collecting from the other driver's insurer. If the accident
was your fault, or if the other car was not insured and nobody is rushing to
write you a check, the choice is easy--turn the claim in on your
collision insurance.
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How do I turn in my claim?
A claim is
turned in simply by advising the company that you were in an accident and that
you have suffered some damage. This is a very informal process. Drivers are
required to exchange insurance information after an accident, and you should
call the appropriate insurance agent or claims center as soon as possible after
the accident. Follow up your telephone call with a letter to the company
confirming that you have notified it of the claim. Keep a copy in a folder
containing any other information you may have on the accident, and document
everything you can in writing.
The company
will assign an adjuster to handle the claim. It is the adjuster's job to
evaluate the damage, determine who was at fault, and then settle or deny the
claim. The adjuster should take a look at your car and review any damage
estimates as soon as possible. The adjuster will also want to interview you and
get your version of the facts. It is important that you honestly and completely
describe the accident and your damages.
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How much should I get paid for my car damage?
You should be
paid the reasonable costs of all repairs required because of the
accident. The reasonable cost of repair is most often set by an estimate from a
body shop. Get your estimate right away and make a demand for payment.
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How many estimates do I need?
There is no law
that says you have to get two estimates (or three, or four, or any other
number). One estimate is frequently enough if the repair shop has a reputation
for reasonable work and fair prices. your insurance company may require more
than one estimate before settling your claim. Multiple estimates help insurers
determine the extent of your loss and prevent fraudulent claims. Some insurance
companies insist upon doing their own damage estimate. Go ahead and let the
insurance company look at your car, but also get a body shop of your own
choosing to give you an estimate before you agree to the amount.
If a dispute
arises on the cost of repair, the body shop doing the repair work will often be
able to resolve it for you by contacting the adjuster directly. Sometimes
another independent estimate is necessary to resolve the argument.
You are not
necessarily limited to the lowest bid. If the lowest bid was achieved through
the body shop cutting corners, that's unreasonable. You are entitled to have
your car restored as nearly as possible to its condition before the accident.
Don't settle for a poor repair done at a bargain price.
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